Lazio sits 10th in Serie A and has one win in its last eight league games

Atletico beats Malaga 1-0 on the road thanks to a goal midway in the second half

Atletico takes a three-point lead over Barcelona, which hosts Elche on Sunday

(CNN) -- Lazio, which has slumped to mid-table after collecting one win in its last eight Italian league games, fired manager Vladimir Petkovic and replaced him with veteran Edoardo Reja.

"Lazio communicates that it has terminated the employment contract with Vladimir Petkovic for just cause following the conclusion of a disciplinary procedure," the club said in a statement on its website.

It added that it had heard the "justification" of concerned parties but didn't say what the "just cause" was.

Atletico regained the lead Saturday when it scored midway in the second half to beat Malaga 1-0 on the road.

But this time it wasn't leading scorer Diego Costa who found the back of the net. Instead, Koke registered the winner off a rebound from close range in the 70th minute.

Atletico rose to 49 points, though Barcelona can go top if it defeats Elche at home Sunday.

The top two meet next week in Madrid.

"It would be so much nicer to be in this position at the end of the season, but there's a long journey ahead," Atletico manager Diego Simeone told the club website.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won't be risked for the game against Elche but Barca manager Gerardo Martino says the multiple world player of the year has looked like an "assassin" in training since returning from a leg injury.

"Messi has the eye of an assassin," Martino told the club website. "He's come back in good shape. He's done well in three training sessions."